Football
16in16: Pac-Five Wolfpack


It's been three full decades now since Pac-Five laid claim to its last Interscholastic League of Honolulu football title, but this year's squad is hoping to change that.

With perennial Division-II powerhouse Iolani out of the picture, the Wolfpack are liking their chances this fall.

Last year, Pac-Five put together a 2-6 record, winning its first two games before dropping their final six. The season ended with a 42-28 loss against Damien in the semifinals of the ILH postseason.

"We should be a lot better this year," said head coach Kip Botelho, who enters his 12th season at the helm of the program. "We had a lot of sophomores on the field last year."

That might be understatement. By Botelho's count, the Wolfpack had "about seven" sophomores on the defensive side of the ball alone.

"Our whole linebacker crew was all tenth grade, our (defensive backs) were all tenth grade, except for one senior, so defensively, we should be a lot better," Botelho said. "I like that they all have experience from last year."

One of those sophomores from a year ago — inside linebacker Spencer Cox — will be a key component to this year's defense.

"Spencer Cox inside is going to be the key to our defense," Botelho said. "We look for big things from him. He has a great knowledge for the game. Also, he's a strong kid, likes to hit. He's one of our run-stoppers inside."

Cox, who stands 5 feet, 10 inches and weights 195 pounds, will play alongside fellow linebackers Kekahi Tam, Keawe Tong and Casey Nakamura in the Wolfpack's 3-4 scheme.

"We're going to bring the intensity," Cox said. "The linebackers are always trying to inspire the other positions on the team. I'm trying to take on the leadership of this team (and) I think I'm ready. Last year it was my first year on varsity and coming into this year I have more experience."

Senior Tyler Matsukawa will anchor the defensive secondary from his cornerback position.

"We're going to bring the intensity," Cox said of the defense. "Everyone has got to do their jobs and we're just going to try to come out with a bang."

Offensively, quarterback Kainoa Ferreira returns for his junior season after throwing for 2,272 yards and 23 touchdowns.

"Last year was all new to him; just the game speed having come up from the intermediate, so just that one year makes a big difference," Botelho said of Ferreira. "He did great last year. It was a learning year for him. He's got a ways to go as far as some things, but he's progressed well and we expect him to have a good year this year."

Ferreira, who stands 6-foot and weights 170, will have to make do this year without prolific wide receiver Tsubasa Brennan, his favorite target from a season ago. Brennan hauled in 89 receptions for 1,179 yards and 11 touchdowns last year.

"(Brennan's departure) affected us a lot, but we also learned from it," Ferreira said. "He was a big asset and we all looked up to him, so we're using what he did last year and we're bringing it back this year."

2015 Pac-Five Wolfpack schedule

Aug. 8 — vs. Kalani*
Aug. 22 — vs. Waimea* (at Hanapepe Ballpark)
Sept. 11 — vs. Saint Francis
Sept. 25 — vs. Damien
Oct. 2 — vs. Saint Francis
Oct. 17 — vs. Damien
*denotes non-league game
All games played at Aloha Stadium unless otherwise noted

Among those looking to make up for the loss of Brennan are Jarrod Infante, Grey Ihu and Daven Pila.

"We lost a bunch of senior skill receivers, so that's going to be a question mark whether we can fill that void with the younger guys," Botelho said.

Infante, a senior slotback/running back, caught 47 passes for 397 yards and two TDs last year. Botelho expects big things from Infante this season.

"Our big-play guy coming back, who is going to be a three-year starter, is Jarrod Infante," Botelho said. "We're looking at trying to get him the ball this year. He's probably going to be our big-play guy."

The Wolfpack, however, are lacking big bodies in the trenches once again.

"We've 65 on our roster, (but) 53 of that is skill guys, so you can do the math with the linemen," Botelho said. "We lack numbers on the lack. I think we've got a total of 11 on both sides of the ball, (so) we'll spread ‘em out and play fast break football."

With Iolani moving up to the Division I ranks this year, the Wolfpack are eager to assume the top spot in the three-team ILH D2.

"Honestly, we're more hungry than ever," Cox said. "We've never been this hungry."

Botelho said his team has the pieces to contend this season, but will have to work to put them together over the course of the year.

"We like our chances," Botelho said. "For us, it's going to come down to the commitment from our kids. We're coming from all over the island and that's always been our challenge, is getting the commitment from the guys to get to practice, so like I told them, ‘It's up to you guys. You have a great opportunity this year, but it's going to start with the commitment of getting to practice everyday.' "

Ferreira, for one, likes what he's seen from his teammates over the summer.

"We never really felt like an underdog," Ferreira said. "We always felt like we could take it, (but) it would always slip out from under us, but this year I'm pretty confident we can do damage this year. This is our year."

While the Wolfpack will be playing exclusively D2 teams this year, Botelho is banking on the experience of playing the D1 teams — and Iolani — in years past.

"We should draw from that," Botelho said. "We had a bunch of tenth graders on the field last year with wide eyes against the D1 teams and it only can help them this year, as far as confidence and experience. We should be a lot better with the experience of playing those guys."

- Kalani Takase





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